This Friday and Saturday the Texarkana Area Chapter #278 of the Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. is hosting the 30th annual Prisoner of War and Missing in Action vigil at the Korea and Vietnam memorial in downtown Texarkana. The Vietnam and Korea memorial is at the corner of seventh street and State Line Avenue. The opening ceremony starts at 4:59 p.m. on Sept. 1 and will be followed by a candlelight ceremony at 8:00 p.m.

There will be a POW meal at 12:00 p.m. on Sept. 2 and a “Ride to Remember” at 3 p.m., which will begin at the Arkansas Welcome Center at 2:40 p.m. The POW and MIA commemoration service starts at 3:10 p.m. and is followed by the candlelight service at 8:00 pm.

This vigil is held in remembrance for those who were prisoners of war or missing in action, whether they returned home or not. Be sure to come support the families of the ArkLaTex.

“I feel like its the same as when I was discharged, most could care less about the Vietnam veteran,” Vietnam veteran Larry Howell said. “It was a ‘conflict’ that most didn’t agree with. I don’t normally go, but it is good they are having one.”